Top 20 US firm Greenberg Traurig has officially opened in Singapore a year after hiring a trio of Hogan Lovells lawyers to help support the launch.

The Singapore office is its fourth in the Asia-Pacific region and 45th globally. The opening is being spearheaded by a team that helped launch the firm’s Asia energy and infrastructure practice, including Joseph Kim and William Wu who joined last year from Hogan Lovells, as well as former Orica in-house lawyer Jared Raleigh who also joined last year. 

All three have been based in Tokyo since arriving at the firm. 

Richard Rosenbaum, executive chair at Greenberg Traurig, said: “Singapore is a fast-growing centre of business activity in industries and practices where we already focus. When we found the opportunity to welcome highly acknowledged industry leaders with deep experience and strong on-the-ground presence in the region, it was time to move forward. Singapore will serve as a link to our other offices in Asia, where we are well-established, and to clients in Taiwan and around the world.”

Kim is heading the Asia energy and infrastructure practice, which is seeking to tap into a potential $210bn-a-year spending spree by Southeast Asian countries to meet their climate goals. Kim’s team brings experience across the renewables industry, including hydrogen, EV battery and related supply chain issues.

Richard Edlin, Greenberg Traurig’s vice chairman, said: “With Joseph, William and Jared, we found an extremely well-known and highly sought-after energy and infrastructure group with decades of experience in the region and broad diversity of skills and experience in complex transactions. Population growth and the need to commit to alternative energy sources is a reason why we believe this is a critical area in which to expand our legal services.”

The Singapore office launch comes a month after the firm entered an alliance with Saudi Arabian firm Khalid Al-Thebity in Riyadh.

Rosenbaum added: “Our strategy has always been to open offices where business and technology are thriving and that further strengthen the reach of our leading global platform. Singapore, much like Riyadh, is experiencing significant economic growth. In keeping with that strategy, we are also exploring expansion opportunities in Dubai and Brazil.”